of temptation prepare vs awaye to escape Numc 23 1. Cor. 1.10 1. Thes 5. 2. Pet. 2. he wyl so strengtheÌ„ vs that when his grace is offered vnto vs wee shall not receyne it in vayne hys good spirite shall poisesse vs cleanse oure hartes of the deuelles infections he wyll not suffce vs to be ouercomme or drowned in theym for he wyll sowe in oure hartes the lyuely seedes of his grace and fill vs full of the wisedome of Chryst By thereare of god sin is eschevved he will putte his feare into oure heartes whyche the proude and scornefull people of thys worlde and they that maliciousely meddle against god do want Iob. 18. his grace is taken from such for they dwell without his feare he will so knitte our hartes in vnitie that hauynge but one harte and one waie we shall feare his name all the daies of our lyues that we and oure children after vs Iere. 32. Psal 118. maie bee blessed and prosper the will delyuer vs frome all daungers and misfortune he wil take warre and discention frome vs he will geeue vs victorye ouer our ennemyes he will prepare vs quietlye toâ— inioie oure wynuyngs he wyll not suffre vs to be confouÌ„ded our children destroied our goodes spoiled nor our wyues our daughters our maydens to be rauished and defyled he wyll be our mighty protection at all assaies geeue vs longe life Iob. 8. he will blesse oure posteritie he wil fil our mouthes with laughter and our lippes wyth gladdenesse he wyll blesse the lande wherein we dwel take from vs famine pestilence all strange dyseases specially of the mynde that oure soules beynge fouÌ„d we may behold him with a pure saythe and serue hym ioyfullye wyth a cleane harte he wyll bee vnto vs a GOD of ryghtuousnesse truthe and mercye he wyll be faithfull to fulfill and keepe hys promises He will sette vppe an euerlastynge couenaunt with vs namely that he wil neuer ceasse to doo vs good and that he wyll put his feare into oure hartes Iere. 32. so that hensefoorthe wee shall not runne nor goe astraye frome hym hee wyll make vs walke in the good and perfecte waye and to keepe the pathes of rightuousenes Yea Prou 2. he wyll haue a luste to do vs good and faythfullye to plante vs in the lande of the lyuynge wyth hys whole harte and with all hys soule For lyke as he hathe broughte vppon vs Iere. 32. great and diuers plages so will he also of hys mercye take theym againe frome vs and in steade of hys greate vengeaunce yet to come he will bring vpon vs all the good that he hath promised vnto vs. I foure hartes haue in possession thys precious and lyuelye vertue the feare of God the grace and fauoure of God shall abundauntly be poured vppon vs. Neyther shall we at anye tyme in suche wyse offende him that his wrath shal be kendled ageynst vs. There shall nothinge be wantyng in vs or neadefull for vs that shal bee to the comforte of soule and bodye yf we haue in vs the sayde vertue It is the begynnyng of wisedome Prouer. 1. It is the verye entrye to attayne the fauoure and blessyng of god Iere. 31. psal 24. In whom so euer it abydeth the secretes of our lord god are euer vnlocked vnto theym layed foorthe and spredde amongest theym and sheweth also vnto them Psal 25. Act. 13. psal 23. psal 147. Psal 34. Psal 102. his comfortable and most ioiefull couenaunt Vnto theim also as vnto the faithfull seede of Abraham is the wourd of saluation sente They that feare him and putte their truste in his mercye beholde hys mercyfull eyes are euer fixed towardes theym his delyghtes in theym hys aungell pitcheth his tente round aboute theÌ„ He is their strength and delyuereth theym his saluacion is nygh vnto them And looke how hygh the heauens are in comparison of the â—arth so great is his mercy towardes them that feare him Looke how wide â—he East is from the west so far hathe â—e sette oure synnes from vs yea and like as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so is he merciful vnto them that feare hym psal 103. The mercyfull goodnes of the lorde endureth for euer and euer vppon theym that feare him and his ryghtuousenes vpoÌ„ their childres children psal 111. psal 112.182 He geeueth meate to theym that feare hym and towardes theym he is euer myndefull of hys couenant They are blessed that feare the Lorde The feare of the lorde maketh a longe lyfe Prou. 10. Prou. 14. The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to escape the daungers of deathe The feare of the Lord preserueth life yea it geueth plentuousnes withoute the visitation of any plage We are sure it shall goe well wyth theym that feare the lorde because they haue him before their eyes Prou 19. Ecclesi 8. Ecclesi 1. The feare of the lord is wourshyppe and triumphe gladdenes and a ioyfull crowne it maketh a mery hart and it driueth out synne The feare of the lorde is in the hart of the wyse whereby he departeth from euell and walketh in the pathe way of ryghtuonsenes The feare of the lorde is wyth the wyse manne in all hys doynges Prou. 14. Eccle. 28. and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth him self from sinne Eccle. 25. The feare of the lorde setteth it selfe aboue al things It is the beginning of loue and the beginning of faith is to cleaue fast vnto the feare of god The feare of the Lorde wanteth nothyng Eccle. 40 and neadeth no helpe The feare of the lorde is a pleasaunte gardeine of blessing and nothynge is so beautyfull as it is Eccle. 25. psal 128. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ vnto whom it is graunted to haue the feare of god For as Esay saith it is the power of goddes holy spirite whereby we reuerence god by auoidinge euell and embracynge good accordyng to this sayenge The wyseman feareth god and auoydeth from euell And Iob sayeth Beholde the feare of the lorde is euen verye wisedome it selfe and is wholly coÌ„tinuyng for euer for it is the streÌ„gth of the diuine spirit to the reuerencing and wourshypynge of God whyche strength is not in vs the wourke of nature but the grace of god bath planted not the wil of maÌ„ but the purpose of god towardes his beloued chosen people vnto whom in Iesus Christe pertaineth the great strength myghtys wourkyng of hys graceÌ„ to the renewing of their mindes that through a reuereÌ„t life in rightuousnes the promises of god maye in this lyfe be atrayned vnto and felte And after thys lyfe Math 25. Iohn 5. to haue a ioyfull resurrection into euerlastynge lyfe thorough the onlye merited and death of hys dearelye beloued sonne Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour who liueth and raigneth wyth hym in the vnitye of the holys ghost most blessed for euer and euer Amen The grace of god O dearelye beloued abounde in oure hartes to the shewing forth of hys glorye in rightuousnes that all we knowynge our duties and obedience to hys dyuyne and most gloriouse maiestie may be ryche and plentyfull in all good wourkes to the pleasynge of oure neighbours for their wealth and coâ—yeng Roma 15. Gala. 15. accordyng to the exaumple of Iesus Chryste the true patrone comforter and sauioure of the worlde who for the tendernesse of compassion that he had to hys people and to saue them from destructioÌ„ sought not to please hym selfe but beeyng innocent and a lambe vnspotted suffered as a wicked offendour moste shamefull reproche bitter tormentes and paynes in the flesh as also bodilye death as it was written of hym by the prophet The rebukes of them wihche rebuked thee sel on me psal 69. Roma 4. What so euer thynges are wrytten aforetyme they are written for our learning that thorough pacience comfort of the scriptures we myght haue hope The god of hope pacience and consolatioÌ„ fil vs wyth all ioye and peace in beleuynge that we may be ryche in hope thorow the power of the holy ghost Leuit. 19. and be like mynded one towardes another after the ensaumple of Christ that we al together agreeyng in vnitye may wyth one mouthe praise God the father of our lorde Iesus Amen The God of peace treade Sathan shortelye vnder our feete Roma 6. FINIS Fautes escaped in pryntyng ¶ In the leaf of A. the .xii. page the .xi. lyne of the Queenes epistle for into reade vnto In the leafe of B. the iii. page the xvii line or to muche In the leafe of B. the iii. page the .xx. line reade for restranitie restraint In the leafe of D. the .x. page the .xv. line for his pathes reade bypathes In the leafe of D. the .xi. page the .ix. line much to muche And in the xxv line for wrathe reade wroth In the leafe of D. the xiiii page the vii line for co reade to In the leaf of d. the xv page the xxii line for al as reade as all Note also the x. page of F the iii. lyne for in thys maner reade he teacheth vs in thys maner In the leafe of G. the v. page the â— liue for confession reade profession In the leafe of G. the xv page the xxiii line for thy reade the. In the leafe of H. the xii page the xxv line the 〈◊〉 or is to much And in the xi lyne before in the same for yf reade that In the leafe of L. the iii. page the .xix. lyne for he to hys electe reade he hath to hys electe In the leafe of N. the 14. page the .v. line for a glorious reade glorious FINIS ⧠Imprinted at London by Henrye Sutton at the costes and charges of Myghell Lobley and Ihon Waley The .vii. daye of Maye in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande v. hundred and syxtye And also perused and allovved accordynge to the Queenes maiesties iniunctions
springeth wyth beautie the comfortable free lyuely fruites of compassion christen charity and frendly liberality and vnto whom aboue all others most wourthilie doo appertayne such thinges as hereafter foloweth accordinge to their right reuerend estate and dignitie In whome goddes people reioiceth vnto whom they owe due honor harty prayse and dayly praier amongest whome also I meane nothinge lesse then arragantely to kendle herein offence against theÌ„ or against any godlye man of anye degree but charitablie with humblenes do touche in fewe wourdes this familiar abuse which is whereof it coÌ„meth that among the riche and wealthy meÌ„ of this world we se for their pleasures wythoute numbre their fatte fed dogges of euery kind their pampered horses their fair mules gay glisteriÌ„g Genettes And to the contrary is many starned forlorn creatures christeÌ„ soules miserablie passing by theÌ„ lyenge in the stretes before theÌ„ or standing at their gates to try them with pituouse cries in their necessitie through sorenes huÌ„gre and nakednes and rather receiue succour of the dogges then of them selues if in their kyndes their toungues licking wyll ease asswage these griefes so pitiles are they and colde of charitye to the comforte or mankynde in his necessitie And to aunswer truelye the question what other cause is there then that they are more affected vnto them their hartes are bente towardes them they glory in theÌ„ haue their felicity and pleasure in them as they are in deede in their kynde and creation for their good gyftes of nature wourthie to bee beloued and estemed to be prepared for and nourisshed but how much more shoulde manne that noble and most excellent creature aboue all other his creatures be looked vnto be beloued prepared for and nourished if we thinke it conuenient to make preparation for the nourishement of beastes that are seruiseable to vs earthely mortall creatures how muche more one man for an other after thensample of Christ that hath entred the bondes of christen amitie and are sworne seruantes to the celestiall and euerlyuyng god What lefull let is there to the contrarye Beastes in their kinde ought to be beloued but that we maye and oughte by natures good consente to loue euerye creature of God in their kynde and be carefull for them specially for those by whom we fele not only to haue great pastime and pleasure but suche also as bryngeth vs muche profite and welfare whether it bee by laborious tillyng the earth by payneful trauailing in iourneis by greuous caryeng of burdeyns by couragious reâ—iâ—tynge enemyes VVe maye not be so affected to fantasies that vve leaue the people of god vnprouided for or such as also serueth to feede our bealies All whiche are louelye necessarye and wourthye due preparation with thanks geuyng to god yet we maye not so loue theim and haue theym in price nor seeke so with excesse to fufyll our affectes that we forget or neglecte our high charge and duetie towardes our poore neighbours and christen brothern whervnto we are bounde by goddes will and the lawe of nature And whome god aboue all other hys creatures so dearely loueth and whome he hath so beautifullye adourned wyth reason with wytte wysedome and vnderstanding by whose vertue also and deuine state of life Psalm 9. the glory of god doth shine In whome through Chryst he is well pleased he sheweth his ioyfull countenance vpon vs he plucketh hys wrath from vs he blesseth vs and hathe also mercy vppon vs. And although we in our health wealth vain felicitie thorough the hardenes of oure hartes bee vnmindeful of them regarde them not nor passe anye thinge of them in theyr greate extreme agony and misery beatinge alwayes oure heades to the supportation of our owne state to the encreace of our owne felicitie and vayne pleasure and to stablishe our posterity in the estimation glory of the worlde as though oure doynges therein were sure and founded vpoÌ„ an immouable rock yet god that is omnipotent rightuouse and mercifull who iustly waieth the true ordre and meanynge of all oure carnall ententes will accordinglye preuent vs and with the vehement storme of his furye beate downe ouer throw and destroy our sandy and stubble foundatioÌ„ And at the day or houre when he shall make inquisâ—tion for the bloude of hys saynctes and call to remembraunce the complayntes of the poore and how wyckedlye we haue in this life abused theym he will bee aduenged of them for the euerlastinge loue that he hathe towardes theym he will haue mercy vpon them he will be perpetuallye myndfull of them he wil regarde and visite theym and not forsake them in such tyme of trial psalm 14. psal 106. psal 138. psal 140. but geueth them the comfort and strength of his spirite pacientlye a shorte tyme to beare the crosse of Christ and the extremitie of their great payne and pouertie through the vnkyndnes of vnnaturall and pitiles people and that their ioyes eternallye shal be afterwardes with him in heaueÌ„ For he is alwayes the comforte preseruation strength and defence of all suche as pacientlye beare the hande of GOD abyde hys wyl and walke alwaies innocentlye beefore hym He is attendannte vpon theim he guideth theim he keepeth them in the right pathe and preserueth the waie of his sainctes vnto whom he gyueth thunderstandyng of rightuousnes Psal 9.14 Prouer. 2 iudgement and equitie yea and euery good pathe and deliuereth the poore when he crieth the nedy and hym that hath no helper for he shall be fauourable and frendly to the simple and nedy and shall preserue also the soules of the poore Of whome in their great agony and bytternes of paine he torneth forth other whiles with out numbre before our eies and in suche misery to th ende we shuld beholde in theim as in a glasse the face of Iesus Christe his greate pouertie and moste greuous afflictions and tourmentes Vnto whome as vnto Christ hymselfe in their hungre thieste and nakednes we ought chariâ—ably to minister breade drynke and cloathe as also in their sycknes to confort theim Math. 25. and in their bands and imprisonment to visite theim They are the price and redemption of Christe they beare before oure eyes the Image of Christe and also in whome we partely doo se the great anguysh dolour of Christe And what so euer we be hold in theim we beholde in Chryste and what so euer we geue vnto them we geue vnto Christe Math. 25. And what so euer wee wythdrawe from them we withdraw from Christ for those are they whoÌ„ Christe spake of to be lefte alwayes amongest vs his beloued poore membres representinge his most deare personne and vpon whome we shoulde for hys sake and in the remembrance of him haue compassion vpon them vse frendly familiaritie amongest them and dispose our godlye charitie to the vpholdynge of their lyues and the asswagynge of their most wofull payne and miserye
our consciences thenne we in this thynge thoroughe Faythe oughte to knowe as by a sure and a moost certayn token of comforte that oure trespasses he forgeuen vs of GOD yf we firste forgeue oure Neyghbours their tresspasses wherein so euer they haue offended vs howe greate so euer the trespasse bee and muche moore for tryfelynge cases or as I maye say for womannelye quarellynges I doo speake wythoute offence to he wyse And we in oure daylye prayer require of GOD to bee forgeuen of hym of oure dayelye and contynuall wyckednesse as wee forgeue other their faultes commytted agaynste vs. So that beefore we praye Prayer whyche we are alwayes bounce to doo and of all thynges moste needefull and that not tediouselye stoughtlye faynedlye doubtiullye neyther yet maliciouselye but cheerefully reuerentlye heartylye faythfullye and charitablye wyth a freendelye and louynge hearte oure prayers I saye when we doo praye must either with the charitie of God in suche wyse bee tempered that we can frely forgeue if offence be committed agaynst vs Math. 21. Iohn 15. 1. Iohn 3. Iacob 1. or elles wourthyly secke for our malyce sake and stiffenecked wickednesse not onely to susteyne the losse of our present suite and desyre but also encreace of the vengeaÌ„ce and wrath of god the more abundantly to fal vppon vs. For onelesse we forgeue vnto others theyr offences Math. 6.11.18 god our heauenly father wil not forgyue vs our offences And whe ther we haue offended theym or they haue offended vs we must seeke the vnitie and peace of Christ yea I say agayn we must seeke it except we will seeme wylfully to runne headlonge to the deuill and damnation we may not be deuided we may not breake the boÌ„d of the felowshyp of Christe we are all membres incorporate into the body of Christe we must thruste backe stately courage and thestimation of wealth we muste herein laye our malice and pride aparte we may not bee quoy or nyce in these straighte cases of god nor vaynelys shamefaste wee maye not daly wyth GOD we may not thynke of oure paynted sheathe but all peenyshe fantasies worldlye vanities and flesshely affectes set asyde wee must symplye and wyllynglye wyth at diligence prosecute the good work whiche God describeth vnto vs and oure owne consciences also most plainly directeth Beefore thou prayeâ—â— therfore Ecclesiastic 18. prepare thy soule in anye wyse to contence well god and dalye not with him as one that tempteth hym but simplye or reuerentlye looke to thy charge Humble thy selfe bee obedience to hys voyce imprint or engraue in thine hart his most fruitful and diuyne sentences We are taught to bee of lyke affection Rom. 12. one towardes another and not to bee hygh minded proude and stought but humblye abasinge our selues to bee equall wyth them of the lower sort We may not be wyse in our own opinions neither recoÌ„pence vnto any man euyll for euell we may not by double minded for our loue must be perfecte and sound without dissimulation We must be feruente in the spirite applye to the tyme and lyue peaceably wyth all menne And yf we wyll take Christ for our patrone and exaumple of lyse we must reuerence him and obey hym also in his wourde who saieth vnto vs also in this wyse Beholde I am the lyghte of the worlde c. Take me for youre guyde Learne of me for I am not proude Math. 11. I am not haute mynded disdaynfull nor scornefull but gentyll lowely and meeke in hearte And yf we that are the folowers of Christe wyll seeke or desyre any thynge at the hande of God the father for Christes sake we must reuerently seeke to content his will we must tast and sauour of hym in goodnes we muste manyfest oure selues to bee the folowers in deede of his glorious and most beautifuile steppes we muste rente frome our hartes and treade with force vnder foote these our moste poisoned ragyng euylles namely the deadly and venomous prickyng priuy lukynge secrete annoyeng inwarde fretrynge outward defacing disteinyng swelliÌ„g disgracyng reÌ„ting tearing choking thornes thistles braÌ„bles burres briers such other shameles endles noisom shrubs of our monstrous beastly pride cancred maliciouines moste vain foolishe stoutnes which are thincensementes of Sathan and his only vehement motioÌ„s in vs to the stirring vp of disobedience and stryfe of which more shall hereafter be somme thinge touched and seeke him simplie that is simple and lowely wyth al simplenes lowlynes and mekenes of harte Prou. 28. For he appeareth and is onelye founde of them that tempteth him not Sapi. 1. but reuerentelye feareth hym and beleueth in hym that reioyceth to please him and loth to offend him And if we think it a great thyng to remit thoffences coÌ„mitted againste vs by others respectings this or that offeÌ„ce or the basenes of the party that offendeth vs thinking therby that our estimatioÌ„ or honesty shuld be greatly diâ—â—eined if we dydde seks to coÌ„ferrs with him If vve consider the darkenes and vvickednes of our ovvne liues other mennes liues shal be fore God seeme vnto vs so much the purer although for concord charities sake how much more ought we rather to coÌ„sider remeÌ„bre our owne notable most vile state of life that heapes of offences which we daily coÌ„mit against god and in the presence of his mooste glorious and excellente maiestie who respecteth no persones but knoweth reproueth thiniquitie and frailtie of all fleshe notyng by his iustyce what is dewe vnto theym and that he not withstandynge of his 〈◊〉 â—lemency and mercye beholdeth 〈…〉 Christe and dooeth forgeue vs 〈…〉 with repentaÌ„ce we praye 〈…〉 vnto hym Let vs therfore in 〈◊〉 callyng examyne well our selues 〈◊〉 men in anctoritie he so vvill the people bee Orce 4. and consider the great mercye of god and his exaumple to charitie and the greater we be of byrth among many others in estimacion of men in anctoritie or welthy that the prayse of god may shyne amongest vs so much the more to consider our estate to god-warde we oughte to submytte our selues to hys wyll and in charitye to apply our selues to the good exaumple of all men that the peace of god and godly amitie maye bountifully flourishe and abounde lyuelye amongest vs. Whose mynde in hys diuyne wourde and manifest exaumples of hys mercy he hath thus as before sygnified vnto vs touchynge oure loue and charitie that we owe to oure neyghbours And there vnto saint Paule counsaileth vs satenge 〈…〉 Bee ye therefore folowers of God as deare children and walke in loue eueÌ„ as Christ loued vs and gaue hymselfe for vs an offerynge and a sacrifice of a swete sauour to god Heâ— â—â— Iacob â—â— Let brotherlye loue and peace continue amongest you for the fruites of rightuousnes are sowen in loue and peace of theim that are the louers and maiâ—â—â—eâ—ers of peace Of which peace brotherly
and folowed Iob. 1. Gala. 6. as the lyuely cleare sparkes of goddes grace to the lyghtnynge of our darkenes to the brydlyng repressing and treading vnder foote oure rancoure our priuye enemitie malyce pryde couetousnes and vncleannesse oure obstinacie and stiffeneckednes our hartes hardenes oure rebellion oure cankred natures and stoughtnes Christ hath taught vs and lefte behynde hym quicke sparkes of his heauenly doctrine amongest vs and as it were lyuelye and euerlasting vaynes of hys moste pure and godlye mynde He hath opened his mynde vnto vs and amongest vs by hys holye worde to pourgeand cleanse our stubburne hartes of all contagion and filthe yf we woulde happily apply with diligence oure affections there vnto enforce our selues by carefull trauell to knowe these sparkes of lyfe to feele and putte in practyse the operacion of theym leauynge the deade synders or smokinge shrubbes of cursednesse wherby it shall then be manyfest vnto vs thorow the light of goddes grace The grace of god is redy at all tymes to enter into vs if vve thorough obstinat maâ—ice â—epe it not backe it is the good gift of god and descendeth frome about eueÌ„ frome the father of light vvhiâ—he shall soone 〈◊〉 coined 〈◊〉 vs 〈◊〉 increased in vs yf we make cure 〈◊〉 and feâ—â—eÌ„t praiet to god for it yea he wyl 〈◊〉 stablishe it in vs for euer shinyng in vs that in the profession of a very christian constancy in loue and godly charitie is also an high and principall vertue whereby we forsake the state of wyckednesse embracynge a godly lyfe and ar loosened from darknes and from the thraldome and bytter bondage of our slye ennemye the prince of this worlde and be frankely sette at libertie in the kyngdeome of Christe th ende of whose course in the shorte race of thys lyfe was to leaue amongest vs thys moste preciouse and heauenly gyfte without the felowship wherof no vertue in anye wyse from the hart of man may appeare to be vprighte cleare and perfect For he that lacketh this singular and blessed gifte of god it is not possyble for hym to do any thyng well to the plealure of god neyther is he wourthie amonge the godly to be had in estimation and honest regarde howe hyghelye soeuer of his lyke or amonge the vaynglorious of thys worlde he seeme to be extolled lifted vp and magnified because that he whiche loueth not his brother with singlenes of hart according to the bond of charitie which is the perfectioÌ„ of a christen maÌ„ but respecteth persons is not of god nor to be coÌ„pted among the rightuous therfore the lesse apte to attayne the preseruation blessyng of god which he hath promised to al those that loue hym be obedient to his coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„tê But alas with what great sorow may we lament in these our vnhappy and moste wretched daies If we consider the sharpenes of goddes late visitation amongest vs Goddes visitation for oure vnthankfulnesse sake diuersely to bee layde vppon vs by withholdynge specially the lyghte of his countenaunce vpoÌ„ vs that wâ—drawiÌ„g of his grace froÌ„ vs to the darknyng of our vnderstaÌ„ding to the plucking back of his loue godly charitie in vs to the makyng of vs hard herted pitiles to that kendlyng amoÌ„gest vs dishonorable warre disceÌ„tion to the supportation also wherof hath risen throughout this coÌ„mon welthe greate meruailous charges importable greuous exactions to thincrease of pouertie great wo and myserye scarcitie and ramine the cursed motion in deede of the dyuell and the fruites of hys malignaunte and wicked membres wherby the christen regions are thus afflicted an opeÌ„ and most manifest shewe of goddes wrathfull indignation agaynst vs namelye vpon this our christen church of EnglaÌ„d whervpon the brightnes of his glorye for the shewe of his mercy in rightuousnes hath heretofore most bright lye shyned and now of late dayes thorough his iust wrath for our vnthank fulnes sake hath wythdrawne it and by wicked and wilfulle warres the swourds of hys vengeaunce not only to sustayne the losse of suche peeces VVarres beyoÌ„d that seas wherof England somtime with honour greatly reioyced but rather amongest vs here wythin the realme greate and intollerable miserye and the destruccion of the people by color Famine famine O how greuously thorough out these whole dominioÌ„s were yet are that poore creatures of god tender meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ most greuouslye therw t afflicted And coÌ„mâ—nly also how the harts of those were yet be hardened agaiÌ„st theÌ„ which iÌ„ their vocatioÌ„ and habilitye being here but stewardes of goddes treasures were bound and ought in conscieÌ„ce Of pitilesse welthy meÌ„ to haue sought their preseruation and naturall comfort soeyng we are not onely borne to our selues wastfully to support our vayne affectes but also accordyng to our duetie state habilitie for others succour helpe and necessite And how they were constrained for want of naturall feedyng and accordynge to the vse of mankynde to be conuerted into the state of brute beastes and to eate for the vpholdyng of their wretched moste wofull lyues acornes grayns and draffe the fylthy swynes refection And howe naturall and deare parentes throughe wretched pouertie weryly wandryng the wastful pathes of lyfe Against nature were inforced agaynst nature to leaue sleapyng in fieldes and vnder hedges or losynge in corners of cities and townes their yonge babes tender infantes the beloued fruit of their bodies tournyng them at aduenture frome theyr owne armes of compassion into the moste vnkynde and pitilesse worlde bycause they coulde not abyde to heare their contynuall mournyng noise their great lamentation theyr pituous coÌ„playntes most heuy countinaunces alwaies fixed for help vpon theim their moost wretched and vnable parentes whose wofull hartes abhorted to see in suche wyse the destruccion of their owne fleshe and the violente crueltie of death by colde and famyne ready to take their liues from them Either how sorowfull a thynge was this to heare and more pitifull to see by the reporte of credible honeste meÌ„ that in Hertford shire beside saint Albons as they passed by the high way side they sawe there lyeng and sitting together a poore woman A pitifull syght with her six or seuen younge children And as they approched nere vnto them to comfort theim with their godlye charitie they see the mother of them lye dead amongest them consumed by famyne to the bones and a younge suckynge infant also dead in her armes another of her children dyeng by her side and the rest pituously making lamentation about her And as I haue here made relacion by credible reporte but onelye of one companye and a fewe personnes that haue sustained through mannes most wretched vnkyndnes this greate wo and miserye so coulde I name of dyuers both men women and children either in villages without the citie or within in backe lanes desolate corners or vppon carraynely stinkynge donghilles
it is to to plaine and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible threatnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outwarde man Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their iust deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again let the proude be confouÌ„ded Psal 〈…〉 O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And the prophete also foreseing iÌ„ hiÌ„selfe by the spirite of god how horrible and lothsome this synne of pryde was in the sight of god and how hurtful and daungerous a thyngâ— it was both touching the poisoned nature thereof either raingning in him self or iÌ„ any other persoÌ„ what power also to mischiefe was therein approued ofteÌ„ he cryed in this maned vnto god sayeng O Lord that art my strength keepe me thy seruaunt I beseche thee from the sinnes of presumption O defende me leaste they get the dominion ouer me then shall I O god be cleane innocent and vndefiled end from the great offence O lette not the foute of pride come against me neither lette the hande of vngodly crosse ouerthrowe me and cast me downe Thus this good man of god for his own safegarde and defence and for the auoyding of goddes vengeaunce declareth his owne weakenes and crieth vpon god for hys assistence and strength against this pestilent vyce and against the possessoures thereof leaste by fastnyng specially vpon hymselfe susteining thereby the violence of hys ennemyes he shoulde bee confounded and throwne downe as experience diuerslye hath taught at all tymes and vpon all estates either vpon the proude people them selues by goddes only hand for the proude to be plaged and subuerted by the proude or also vpon anye other that haue sustayned in innocencie the violente crueltie of the proude And because as he him self was a fearer and feruents louer of god and had experience as before meÌ„tioned of this infectuous vyce and woulde haue all men in lyke maner to reuerence God to loue hym and to eschewe the daungers of this vice what the nature therof is what it wourketh in theym that possesseth it and what they coÌ„menlye are that sustayne the violence thereof and what the rewarde also shal be vnto theym that embraceth this euell he him self besides other wrighteth thereof in this maner Pride saith he engendreth forgetfulnes of god Pride wourketh in the hartes of the wicked coÌ„teÌ„pt of god Neither is God in the thoughtes of the proude Their waâ—es are continually greuouse Their mouthes are full of cursing spight bitternes scornefulnes wilines lyeng deceipte fraud vnder their tonges is vngodlines and vanitie they are lurkers they are dyggers of pyttes setters of trappes and layers of snares to catche the rightuous and lowlye they are priuye murtherers of the innocent and they haue their eyes fyxed and full bente to the destruction of the poore Psal 〈…〉 c. What euelles are there that bee noysom vpon the earthe to the hurte of man the springeth not froÌ„ the hart of the wicked proude maÌ„ For pride is the original of al sin wickednes the begynnynge whereof is wickedly to slippe and fall from God his creatoure and maker for his hart is wythdrawne from dym Ecclesi â—â— There is no feare of God before his eyes The proude flatter theimselues in their owne syght euen tyll their abhominable synnes be found out Tush say they in the pride of their heartes we shall neuer bee caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto vs God hath forgotten he hydeth awaye his face and he shall neuer see it Psal 10. But contrarywyse the holy ghost men cloneth of the proude respectyng the affectes of their corrupted hartes that the myghtye hande of God scattereth theim in the imagination of their hartes Luke i. The Lorde shall roote out all wycked and deceiptful lyppes and the tungues also that speakethe suche prowde thynges Psalm 12. Agayne as God beyng moste hygh respecteth gently the humble and lowely so beholdethe he the wyckednesse of the prowde people afarre of Psal 138. And agayne who so hathe a prowde â—oke and an hyghe stomacke hym wyll I not suffer sayeth the Lorde Psal 101. And in an other place The glorye of the Lordes maiestie casteth downe the â—aute and hygh lookes of the presumptuous and bryngeth full lowe the vayne pride of man Esay 2. And this also in an other place All people that are forgetfull of God and of their duetie in humilitie and obedience vnto hym shall bee tourned into hell Note also touchynge pride Psal 9. amonge other places of the scriptures what the prophete Esaye saieth and what the terriblenes of gods wrathe is there mencioned agaynst the same And here also I thynke it not oute of the way Esay 3. that we coÌ„syder and note wel the blyssefull state sometyme of the mosse glorious cleare and beautyfull creature Lucyfer that gloried so muche in hym self and sought in his pride beyng but a creature to aduance and to exalte hym selfe vp into heauen and to sette his throne besydes the starres of God his Creator and maker He desired in his proud hart to clyme aboue the cloudes and to bee in comparison lyke vnto the mooste hyghe God But what happened therby vnto hym Receiued he not his reward accordingly wheÌ„ he was wourthily thrown down euen to the verye deapthe of helle where he remayneth in steade of a fair bryghte aungell of heauen an horrible fowle deuell of hell abyding in dampnacion and darkenes wyth hys companions for euer the ryghte father of pride and of al wycked presumptuous persons and the onelye rynge leader high capitaine prince and ruler of all abhomination and iniquitie Esay 14 Seynge then that the apparaunte and iust vengeaunce of god hath bene felt from the begynnynge for such disobedience and pryde and that he hath promised by hys wourd to perfourme truly hys wrathe for suche wycked offences O why woulde pride spring by anye meanes from the harte of man ouer whome hangeth the yrefull power of so terrible a god man beyng of hym selfe most feeble and a frayle creature very corruption earth and asshes Eccle. 10. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ that is lowly meeks spirited the hathe only with
reuerence set his hope in the lord god hath not tourned vnto the wais of the proude For vndoubtedly when the wrath of god shall fall by his iustice vpon thys generation for the synne of disobedience pride as in all ages before it hath ben greuously felt O how great shall the fall thereof be vpon vs yea how alas shall we wretched creatures bee able to abyde it The olde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Pre. 21 2â— Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ Presumption goeth bee fore shame and destruction and after a proude stomack ther foloweth a fall Maye wee not nowe thinke it at the higheste 〈…〉 pride and neuer so lyke to fall Was there euer sens GOD created heauen and earth the like abuse and abhomination with oute measure raignynge Canne it by anye meanes moare horribly appeare amongeste vs Canne it wyth possibilitie from anye fantasticall heade that beareth lyfe bee more dyuerslye deuysed and chargeablye to the payntynge foorthe and fettynge oute of oure rotten carraynlye carcases Or can it bee by other more vainely or fondly deuysed then is of our selues fondely conseÌ„ted to and receyued Eyther consyder we as we oughte in all suche our dooynges oure poore and base estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie In prvde vve forget pouâ—â—â—tie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men it is to to plain and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible thretnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outward man expresseth plainelye the naturall disposition and lust of the inward man But what diuersitie is there now touching the present state of our liues betwixte vs VVe diffre nothinge froÌ„ the sodomites the most vyle people some tyme of the world that were moste detestable in the light of god for the gretnes of their wicked company and the multitude of their terrible synnes ouer whome god rained from heauen sulpher fyre brymstone wyth great darkenes and horrible stinch for their reward and destruction namely the filthy sodomites and stinking Gomorreans whose ioy and felicitie was in pride delicacie fulnes of meate abundaunce and ydlenes neither reached they their hande to the poore but were harde harted and pitiles and full of al fylthye abhomination Vnto whom in the fulnes of their pride and stynkyng felicitie the Prophetes of God preached repentance to tourne them from their great abhominatioÌ„ wickednes and to escape the heauye wrathe of God presentely hanging ouer them if they could haue preuailed whose heueÌ„ly doctrines from time to time sharpe threatninges geÌ„tle warnings faire promises from god offered vnto them Preaching preuailed not against the Sodomites The destruccion of the sodomites were no lesse bytter and vnsauery vnto theim then their accustomed haunted fleshlines or beastly filthines was pleasaunt and sweete vnto theim And so without leauing of or fearing daunger they stil contynued in their beastelye wickednes vntill the vnquencheable fyre of gods vengeaunce fell down vpon them to their perpetual confusion of body and soule The signe of whiche horrible destruccion and great veÌ„geance of god remayneth in the place vnts thys daye for an exaumple vnto the wycked inhabitours of the earthe wherebye they maye learne to knowe and feare the mighty at me of so terrible and iuste a God agaynst hys obstnate styffenecked VVe are carelesse of gods vengeaunce proude vncharitable and filthy enemies O howe careles also are we of such thinges Howe slacke and farre of are we from due cogitation of that mightie god and of his iustice that shoulde bee alwayes a terrour in our consciences And of his humilitie and great example also of loue lowlynesse cleannes and puritye that should mooue vs to charitie mekenes holynesse and chastitie Neyther consyder wee the frailtie rebellion and vilitie of our fickle and frayle flesshe VVe seeke not to vvith stande the rebellion and greate frailetie in our fleshe to withstand the corrupt motions therof that euer yeldeth to euyll and reeleth alwayes wyth greate daunger to fall Yea and other whyles the fall is suche as we maye here and knowe through our willfull presumption longe suffering lyngerynge daliaunce or fylthye wantonnes that it descendethe frome synne to sinne VVe fal thoroughe the flesh neuer to ryse againe and from one iniquitie to another tyll the staye of gods grace be vtterly takeÌ„ away so neuer to rise again but fal with the sinking Sodomites by what ordre of corporall deth so euer it be froÌ„ god to the deuel to eternal deth hel daÌ„pnacion for euer O pleasaunt purchaced end wourthy reward for such pleasures Hath it not ben as wel truly known as often spoken the sweete meate wil haue sharpe soure sauce haue we not also knowne that after a few vain short foolish pleasures there foloweth many bitter woful and endles miseries the after laughter ioy iolitie there foloweth lamentacion greuous cruel desteny that after health wealth and worldlye prosperitie there foloweth the troden trace of infelicitie And finally after an vnrepeÌ„tant wycked shorte lyfe there foloweth gods iuste iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death These thinges wel noted May we not thinke our tymes welle spente that serueth for so louely recompence For a fewe dayes of vain pleasures to enioy euer lasting paines Thou O man that art in such wise disobedient a contempner of god a refuser of hys grace or obstinate and heady agaynst hym that is so mightye so mercifull pitifull and gentle thou an apt folower of the deuel that is so merciles and cruell a tiraunts be thou well assured hereof that in thys case thorough thyne owne wylfull malyce and beastly obstinacie both their mindes shal be sette and ioyned together agaynste thee that is the one to wythdrawe hys mercye from thee God fotsaketh the refuser of his grace The deuell receiueth him and vtterly to forsake thee and the other maliciously to take thee and mercilesse to torment thee Thou shalt not deuise to do more wickedly then he wil prepare wayes to cruciate thee And thoughe thy tyme of fylthy pleasures and to do wickedly be but